Queens failed to score at home for the first time in the league this season as Alloa snuffed out their attack for the second time in seven weeks.

Neither manager was overly disappointed with the scrappy draw which helped maintain the Doonhamers 16 point lead at the top of the second division.

Alloa had handed Queens their only defeat of the season back in December with a 1-0 win at Recreation Park and they were at times close to stealing another three points at Palmerston on Saturday.

Queens manager Allan Johnston admitted it wasnt a great game of football but praised Alloa for their efforts in the tie.

He said: It was an edgy game out there both teams were a wee bit cagey but overall I thought we were the better team.

Chances were few and far between they were throwing bodies in the way stopping shots and it is good defending from their part.

I cant really complain. We are 16 points clear but you would have expected them to come and have a real go with them needing to win the game but it seemed they set up to frustrate us more than come and attack us.

We want to win every game so were a wee bit disappointed we didnt win but they are a good team.

Queens experienced midfielder Derek Young was pitted against big brother Darren as Queens made one change to their line-up that disposed of Forfar Athletic two weeks ago with captain Chris Higgins returning to the side as fellow defender Kevin Holt missed out. Midfielder Stephen Simmons returned to Palmerston as part of the Alloa starting eleven.

The game itself was by no means a classic but this was far from a boring 0-0 draw.

The visitors were inches from taking the lead early on when a Kevin Cawley strike deflected off defender Mark Durnan and squirmed just past Lee Robinsons far post.

And it was only brave defending from Alloa that kept the home team out with three superb blocks before the 15-minute mark.

Not too many signs then that this one would end goalless as Danny Carmichael raced through on goal before dragging his effort wide of the upright.

Alloa were always on the lookout for a counter attack and they earned a corner just after the half hour mark which Ben Gordon headed against the crossbar from six yards.

Headed chances from top scorer Nicky Clark and right back Ryan McGuffie failed to hit the target as the half wore on and the teams left the pitch at halftime with everything to play for.

The second half continued much the same as the first with the battle in midfield leading to occasional chances for both sides which neither were able to take.

Chris Mitchell had a free-kick turned behind and Nicky Clark was unable to hit the target with another header.

Alloa came close too with left back Darryl Meggatt striking a fierce shot towards goal as the ball rolled out from the 18-yard-box after a corner. Lee Robinson though was equal to the task parrying the shot and the Queens defence was quick to clear it to safety.

Clark had two more half chances before Queens looked to have finally won the day as McGuffie met a deep Mitchell corner with a powerful header. But unluckily for Queens the ball rebounded straight off Alloas Meggatt who was guarding the left hand upright.

It nearly went from bad to worse for the home side as Chris Mitchell brought down sub striker Callum Gallagher as he bore down on Lee Robinsons goal.

But the Queens skipper avoided a red card after some good talking by his defensive partner Durnan convinced the referee Higgins was not the last man.

Alloa ballooned the free kick high and wide in the last action before the final whistle. A share of the spoils seemed a fair result and Paul Hartley agreed.

The Alloa manager said: Its a good point as they are a good team and they are at the top of the league for a reason so Im happy with the point.

I think we probably had the better chances. I thought the players were great today they played really well and put their bodies on the line and we were always a threat.

I thought we always looked a threat on the counter with quick breaks but as a team I thought they were great - the players showed good spirit and determination not to get beat. I was proud of the them.